Phillip Dutton: Aussie gold medallist riding for US

As hard as it was for Phillip Dutton to help Australia claim Olympic gold in the equestrian three-day team event at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, the outback-born rider faces a tougher task for Beijing.

The US-based veteran horseman told his parents and Aussie team-mates in 2006 that he was changing his nationality so he could compete for the Americans at the Beijing Olympics, where he will be a member of the US three-day event team.

"It was big. I did agonise over it. It went on a long time in my head," Dutton said.

"My parents were the big concern. I didn't want them thinking their son is a traitor."

Peter and Mary Dutton can relax. Phillip's youthful years growing up on a remote sheep farm in the vicinity of Nyngan in New South Wales were well spent.

"Where you grow up has a big influence on your life. It was a bit of a tough lifestyle.

"It was big to me that my family didn't think I was going against that heritage.

"But I am an American. I have done a lot for Australia but my future is here in the United States. I'm hoping to win a medal for America."

Dutton made the move to America in 1991 and while riding for the Aussies in three Olympics and four World Championships, he became a major figure in the US eventing circuit as well as a coach for several top young riders.

"I'm part of the eventing here. That's a big part of it. I don't want to be disrespectful to Australia. They were generally good about it. At the end of the day, I felt comfortable with it," Dutton said.

"America has been great to me since I came here with $2,000 in my pockets.

"I saw a cute girl, married her and made the American event scene. I didn't set out with any great plan to come to America and enhance my career."

Dutton topped US Equestrian Association rider of the year lists in seven of eight seasons from 1998 through 2005.

"Representing a new country is a dream come true," Dutton said.

"I'm a US citizen. Once you change your nationality and ride you can't go back. I thought long and hard about it. There is always some worry.

"Competing against Australia, this will be the first time I'm wearing the red, white and blue at the Olympics and see them wearing the green and yellow.

"I'm sure there will be some ribbing but everybody has been good about it."

Dutton, who turns 45 in September, made the switch with the blessing of Australian equestrian officials.

"They gave it a much smoother transition. I felt grateful. They recognised that it was something that was important to me for another part of my career," Dutton said.

"I've helped the sport there. They have taken that into account."

So what hopes does Dutton have for bringing his new homeland a medal?

"We would not be favourites. It's in a bit of a rebuilding phase," he said.

"With the heat and conditions, it will be an open field. I don't mind not being a favourite."

In her resignation from politics, Kelly O'Dwyer said she feared another miscarriage in Canberra, far from home. Her announcement is shocking for more than just party-political reasons, writes Emma A. Jane.